14 years ago today, Hurricane Rita made landfall in southwest Louisiana. State climatologist Barry Keim says Rita was a Category 5 storm in the Gulf.
Cut 9 (11) “…quite a punch”
Keim says Rita produced a storm surge of nearly 18 feet, making it the second-highest storm surge measured in Louisiana in over a century.

Two Thibodeaux residents allegedly stole their grandmother’s identity and used it to go on a spending spree racking up over 5,000 dollars’ worth of bills. State Police Senior Trooper Jesse LaGrange says 30-year-old Megan Hebert and 31-year-old Roger Thibodaux conspired to rip off their grandma by stealing her personal information and…
Cut 12 (10) “…online”
Hebert and Thibodaux are both in jail.

A Shreveport woman is arrested for impersonating a licensed nurse at a nursing home, using the identity of a woman with the same name. Matt Doyle has more.
Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

Calcasieu Parish Sheriff Tony Mancuso say members of motorcycle gang based in Texas are responsible for stealing two ATM machines in Westlake. Mancuso says the suspects stole over 150-thousand dollars and in both cases, a stolen forklift was used to take the money on two separate weekends over the summer. Authorities have arrested five people and searching for two others.

While nationally the number of children living in concentrated poverty has gone down, it is estimated that Louisiana has 27,000 more kids living in poverty from 2013 to 2017 than the previous five year period.  Annie E. Casey Foundation Advocacy and Influence Associate Director Scot Spencer says the state is one of only ten states to see a rate increase.

Cut 3 (06) “…to 20%.”

A Shreveport nursing home social worker is under arrest for posing as a licensed nurse for over a thousand hours using the identity of an LPN with her same name. Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Detective Mike King says while pretending to be a nurse, 59-year-old Sandra Martin took on some vital, and potentially dangerous roles…

Cut 6 (07) “…called in.”

King says they suspect Martin posed as a nurse to cash in on overtime opportunities

An independent poll shows incumbent Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon in a near tie with challenger Tim Temple. The pollster says it may be thanks to a new attack ad chastising Donelon for napping through what appears to be a hearing…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

The man accused of killing a Mandeville Police officer Friday and wounding another is being held without bond. 21-year old Mark Spicer of Covington faces first-degree murder of a police officer and attempted first degree murder of a police officer. Captain Vincent Liberto was killed following a chase of Spicer.

An LSU Biochemistry Professor discovers that a diabetes treatment may also be effective in treating breast cancer. Matt Doyle spoke with Dr. Suresh Alahari…

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

A new poll shows the race for Insurance Commissioner is at a statistical dead heat with Republican incumbent Jim Donelon at 22 percent and GOP challenger Tim Temple at 20 percent. JMC Analytics pollster John Couvillon says 58 percent of voters are undecided.
Cut 4 (07) “…incumbent.”
Donelon is seeking a fourth consecutive full term, while Temple is a political newcomer.

Truth in Accounting-dot-org gives Louisiana a D rating following new analysis that shows Louisiana has $15.8 billion available to pay nearly $38 billion worth of bills. Truth in Accounting CEO Sheila Weinberg…
Cut 13 (12) “…at $17,700.”
Weinberg says the state has a pension debt of $9.4 billion and retiree healthcare debt of $9.6 billion.

The three main candidates in the governor’s race appeared at the Baton Rouge Press Club and discussed what they prioritize if elected.  GOP challenger Eddie Rispone says he will let various sectors know how accommodating the state is under his leadership.

Cut 10 (13) “…business people do.”

His challengers Congressman Abraham said his priorities are infrastructure taxes and budget reforms and Governor Edwards says he will continue investing into education.

Cut 12 (12) “…to our future.”

Early voting begins this Saturday and the election is 18 days away on October 12^th.

Researchers at LSU Health New Orleans discover a common diabetes drug might be useful in treating certain forms of cancer and other common ailments. Biochemistry Professor Dr. Suresh Alahari says the use of metformin in mice shows effective treatment of cancer by keeping in on certain a protein and now they are looking at the prospect of it being used to even treat Alzheimer’s.

Cut 8 (08) “the road”

Truth in Accounting-dot-org gives Louisiana a D rating following a new analysis of the latest financial report showing Louisiana has $15.8 billion available to pay nearly $38 billion worth of bills. Truth in Accounting Founder and CEO Sheila Weinberg says the state should not roll burden of retiree healthcare onto future taxpayers.

Cut 15 (07) “…for other taxpayers.”

Overall, the state ranks 40^th in the nation.

So what will the gubernatorial candidates do if elected this fall? They answered that question during a forum at the Baton Rouge Press Club. Republican Congressman Ralph Abraham…
cut 11 (11) “….and budget reform”
Fellow GOP challenger Eddie Rispone says his focus will be creating jobs, while Governor Edwards wants to invest more dollars into early childhood education.

The race for insurance commissioner is a statistical dead heat according to a poll taken late last week by JMC Analytics and Polling. Pollster John Couvillon says Republican challenger Tim Temple has a new hard-hitting ad against the incumbent, Jim Donelon…
cut 5 (08) “….the wheel”
Couvillon says the race is far from over as 58-percent of the respondents are undecided.

An LSU Health New Orleans researcher finds that a common Diabetes medication is effective in treating cancerous tumors in mice. Biochemistry Professor Dr. Suresh Alahari says certain cancers lack a protein known as Nischarin, and Metformin, the diabetes treatment, activates an enzyme that can help neutralize those cancers.
Cut 7 (06) “…growth”
Metformin is already a proven commodity, and Alahari is excited about the prospect of it being used to treat ailments like breast and ovarian cancer, and possibly even Alzheimer’s.

Louisiana has received a “D” grade from Truth in Accounting because of a debt burden of 22-billion dollars. Truth in Accounting CEO Sheila Weinberg says the state does not have available money to pay billions of dollars in pension and health care benefits costs…
cut 14 (09) “…retiree healthcare benefits.”
The report says Louisiana would need 17-thousand dollars from each of its taxpayers to pay all of its bills.

The candidates for Governor discussed their top priority if elected. Kevin Barnhart has the details.
Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Tiger Truck Stop Manager Pamela Bossier says Casper the Camel is on antibiotics after the animal was bitten in the testicles by a Florida woman who was trying to retrieve her dog from the camel’s fenced-in living area. The couple from Florida is facing misdemeanor charges that include criminal trespassing.

A new poll shows the race for Insurance Commissioner is at a statistical dead heat with Republican incumbent Jim Donelon at 22 percent and GOP challenger Tim Temple at 20 percent. JMC Analytics pollster John Couvillon says 58 percent of voters are undecided.
Cut 4 (07) “…incumbent.”
Donelon is seeking a fourth consecutive full term, while Temple is a political newcomer.

A Louisiana researcher has found that a drug called metformin, which diabetes patients take, has shown to be effective in mice who have cancerous tumors. LSU Health New Orleans School of Medicine biochemistry professor, Doctor Suresh Alahari, says he’ll continue testing by implanting human breast cancer tissue in mice…
cut 9 (09) “….tissue”
Alarhai says unfortunately we are several years away from human trials.

The three main candidates in the governor’s race appeared at the Baton Rouge Press Club and discussed their priorities if elected. GOP challenger Eddie Rispone says he will work to bring good jobs to the state…
Cut 10 (13) “…business people do.”
Fellow GOP challenger Ralph Abraham says he’ll reverse the changes the governor made to the Industrial Tax Exemption Program, while Governor Edwards says he’ll invest more money into early childhood education.

Truth in Accounting-dot-org gives Louisiana a D rating following new analysis that shows Louisiana has $15.8 billion available to pay nearly $38 billion worth of bills. Truth in Accounting CEO Sheila Weinberg…
Cut 13 (12) “…at $17,700.”
Weinberg says the state has a pension debt of $9.4 billion and retiree healthcare debt of $9.6 billion.

The Covington man accused of fatally shooting a Mandeville Police officer on Friday makes his first court appearance in St. Tammany Parish today. Authorities say 21-year-old Daniel Spicer shot and killed veteran police Captain Vincent Liberto during a police chase. Another officer was wounded. Captain Liberto’s funeral is Friday.

An independent poll shows incumbent Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon in a statistical tie with challenger Tim Temple. The pollster says a new attack ad chastizing Donelon for sleeping during a hearing is hitting home with voters…
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Matt Doyle”

At the Baton Rouge Press Club, the three main gubernatorial candidates were asked about policies they’d enact if elected. Governor John Bel Edwards says he’ll work to increase spending on education…
cut 12 (12) “…to our future”
Republican challenger Eddie Rispone says he’d push for a constitutional convention, while fellow GOP candidate Ralph Abraham says he’d reverse the changes made to the Industrial Tax Exemption program. A new policy put in place by Edwards gives local elected officials a chance to decide if businesses should receive a large local property tax break.

A cause of death has not been released in the tragic death of a Baton Rouge man who attempted to give an underwater marriage proposal while vacationing in Tanzania. The family of the broken-hearted girlfriend says Steven Weber Junior was a strong swimmer and snorkeled multiple times and something happened besides him running out of breath.

A new poll on the Insurance Commissioner’s race shows it’s a statistical dead heat between Republican Incumbent Jim Donelon and his GOP challenger Tim Temple. JMC Analytics Pollster John Couvillon says Temple’s new attack ad that shows Donelon possibly sleeping during a committee hearing is having an effect on voters…
cut 6 (05) “….come out swinging”

An LSU Biochemistry Professor discovers that a diabetes treatment may also be effective in treating breast cancer. Matt Doyle spoke with Dr. Suresh Alahari…
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

An independent poll shows incumbent Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon in a near tie with challenger Tim Temple. The pollster says it may be thanks to a new attack ad chastizing Donelon for napping through what appears to be a hearing…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

_______________________________

An LSU Biochemistry Professor discovers that a diabetes treatment may also be effective in treating breast cancer. Matt Doyle spoke with Dr. Suresh Alahari about his research…

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

________________________

The candidates for Governor discussed their top priority if elected. Kevin Barnhart has the details.

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

________________________

A new Independent poll shows the race for Insurance Commissioner is at a statistical dead heat with incumbent Jim Donelon at 22 percent and challenger Tim Temple at 20 percent.

JMC Analytics pollster John Couvillon says the biggest number that stands out is the 58 percent of voters who remain undecided.

Cut 4 (07) “…incumbent.”

Both Donelon and Temple are Republicans.

Temple has poured over a million dollars of his own money into the race, buying up TV and radio ad space statewide. Couvillon says one ad, in particular, appears to have hit home.

Cut 5 (08) “…the wheel”

Couvillon says with a week and a half before most voters lock in their choices at the ballot box, the Donelon campaign needs to move quickly to sure up undecideds, and respond to the Temple attack.

Cut 6 (05) “…come out swinging.”

____________________

An LSU Health New Orleans researcher finds that a common Diabetes medication was effective in treating certain forms of cancer in mice.

Biochemistry Professor Dr. Suresh Alahari says certain cancers lack a protein known as Nischarin, and Metformin, the diabetes treatment, activates an enzyme that can help neutralize those cancers.

Cut 7 (06) “…growth” 

Nischarin was first discovered by Alahari 20 years ago when he worked in North Carolina.

Metformin is already a proven commodity, and Alahari is excited about the prospect of it being used to treat ailments like breast cancer, ovarian cancer, carcinomas, and possibly even Alzheimer’s.

Cut 8 (08) “the road”

Research is also being done on how Metformin affects those with dementia, aging, cardiovascular disease, and autoimmune disorders.

Alahari stresses just because preliminary tests in mice were inspiring, doesn’t mean they have a miracle cure ready today for humans, but they’ve got their next step already plotted out.

Cut 9 (09)  “…tissue”

_______________________

The three main candidates in the governor’s race appeared at the Baton Rouge Press Club and discussed what they prioritize if elected.  GOP challenger Eddie Rispone says he will let various sectors know how accommodating the state is under his leadership.

Cut 10 (13) “…business people do.”

Fellow Republican candidate Ralph Abraham says he will reverse ITEP changes, which is a property tax break for large manufacturers, but it does not stop there.

Cut 11 (11) “…and budget reform.” 

Governor Edwards says he will continue investing into education.

Cut 12 (12) “…to our future.”
______________________________

Truth in Accounting-dot-org gives Louisiana a D rating following a new analysis of the latest financial report showing Louisiana has $15.8 billion available to pay nearly $38 billion worth of bills. Truth in Accounting Founder and CEO Sheila Weinberg says the state has a long way to go to make improvements.

Cut 13 (12) “…at $17,700.”

Weinberg highlights the state’s pension debt of $9.4 billion and retiree healthcare debt of $9.6 billion as a major factor.

Cut 14 (09) “…retiree healthcare benefits.” 

Weinberg says the state should not roll the financial burden of retiree healthcare onto future taxpayers.

Cut 15 (07) “…for other taxpayers.”

Overall, the state ranks 40^th in the nation.

________________________

For the third time this year, Quarterback Joe Burrow is the SEC Offensive Player of the Week. Tommy Hodson and JaMarcus Russell are the only quarterbacks in LSU history to earn SEC Offensive Player of the Week three times. Through the first four games, Burrow has more completions, passing yards and passing touchdowns than any player in school history over that span. Coach Ed Orgeron doesn’t see Burrow slowing down

Cut 16  (13) “…expect that”

LSU leads the nation in scoring, averaging nearly 58 points per game. Wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase is second in the nation in receiving yards per game, with 132-yards a contest. Orgeron says they knew the sophomore from Rummel would have a breakout season…

cut 17 (12) “…of player” 

___________________________________________

The Sun Belt Conference has named Ragin Cajuns running back Elijah Mitchell as its Sun Belt Offensive Player of the Week. The Erath native rushed for 143 yards and three touchdowns in U-L Lafayette’s road win over Ohio. Coach Billy Napier says a great offseason is paying off for Mitchell

Cut 18 (18) “can do” 

The Cajuns have one of the top rushing attacks in the country as they rank first in the nation in total rushing yards, with 1,295 yards and 18 touchdowns. Trey Ragas is averaging 10 yards a carry, while Raymond Calais is averaging 9.5 yards an attempt. Napier says it’s an unselfish group

cut 19 (21)   “ our team.”   

A vet checks on Casper the Camel at the I-10 Tiger Truck Stop in Grosse Tete today after a Florida woman admits to biting his testicles. Jeff Palermo has the story

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

LSU QB Joe Burrow is named the SEC player of the week, marking the third time this season for Burrow to receive the distinction. In 2018, Burrow had received the honor two other times. The fourth ranked Tigers will next host Utah State for an 11am kickoff on October 5^th.

Today is the first day of Fall, but it doesn’t feel like it, as its hot and humid. State Climatologist Barry Keim says the Climate Prediction Center predicts we’ll continue to see above-normal temperatures during the fall months, while rainfall totals should be normal, which is not a lot. Keim adds it’s not going to feel like fall anytime soon

Cut 13 (11) “…gonna happen.”

Keim says we’ll have to wait until October before that first significant cold front comes through.
Teddy Bridgewater showed he is more than a capable backup to Drew Brees as he led the Saints to a 33-27 win over the Seahawks in Seattle yesterday. It’s an emotional victory for Bridgewater, who nearly saw his career come to an end because of a devastating knee injury during training camp in 2016. Since then he’s been traded twice, but kept telling himself before the game he’s a winner…

Cut 4 (12) “…all-time high.”